Mad Hatter Page

 

of everyone," says Morfey, who is
also secretary/treasurer of the
Student Trust.

 

 

Writer in Residence

The writing program at Douglas
College is taking a new direction in
1985. For six days in February one
of Canada's most popular authors
will enter the community as Douglas
College's Writer-in-Residence.

Rona Murray, well known throughout
North America as one of Canada's
leading poets, playwrights and
authors of fiction and drama, will
be in New Westminster the first
week of February to help new writers
discover the world of publishing.

Probably best known for winning the
Pat Lowther Award in 1982 as Canada's
top femal poetry writer, Murray will
hold workshops and readings for all
members of Douglas College and the
public.

Murray will divide her six day visit
between readings at Douglas College
and the New Westminster Public
Library and will attend several
college writing classes which are
also open to the public.

And Douglas College will not be a
new experience for Murray. From
1974 to 1976 she was a part-time
instructor in the writing program.

It was this experience plus her pro-
lific writing which convinced
writing instructor Maurice Hodgson
to ask Murray to come to Douglas
College as Writer-in-Residence.

"Rona Murray has a breadth of
writing experience," Hodson says.
"This plus her knowledge of the
British Columbia writing scene has
made her an obvious choice when we

 

began looking for a Writer-in-
Residence."

The college is also very fortunate
to have a Writer-in-Residence at a
time when few educational institu-
tions can afford their services.
Hodgson gives special thanks to the
Canada Council for helping bring
Murray to Douglas College.

"This is, in a sense, a real coup for
our college," he says. "And not only
can the students here benefit from
her experiences, but the whole

community is also invited to see her."

The possibility of more Writer-in-
Residence programs across the Lower
Mainland could increase because of
the direction shown by Douglas
College, Hodgson says hopefully.

"Murray is always an exemplary writer
who does not dwell on the frivolous
styles many authors use to gain
popularity," he says. " With this
we could be leading the way to
bring more writers of her calibre
into the Vancouver area."

On Monday, February 4, Rona Murrary
will be in attendance at Douglas
College for questions and talks with
people from the college and community,
and later in the evening will be
interviewed on CBC.

The next two days she will hold work-
shops, open to the public, in writing
classes at Douglas College, as well
as a special Discovery Workshop for
seniors who are interested in writing

Thursday, February 7 she will hold a
special noon-hour reading of her
poetry, fiction and prose at the
performing arts theatre at Douglas
College, 700 Royal Avenue, New
Westminster.

Rona Murray will then end her termas
Writer-in-Residence with a public